Let’s be honest. When you think about Disney World, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the magic, followed immediately by the crowds. But here’s the thing, 2025 might just be the year when Disney World feels a little less packed.
I know, it sounds like wishful thinking, but hear me out. There are a few solid reasons why Disney’s usual sea of Mickey ears and strollers might thin out (a bit), and if you’re planning a trip, this could be the year to go.
Epic Universe at Universal Orlando
The buzz around Universal Orlando’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park is absolutely unreal. It’s scheduled to open on May 22, 2025, and as you can imagine, this massive addition is already stealing some of Disney’s thunder. Epic Universe is set to include five themed lands, new attractions, and experiences that, understandably, have theme park enthusiasts chomping at the bit to visit.
Here’s why this matters for Disney fans:
-
- Shifting Priorities: Many families who would typically plan Disney trips might opt to explore this brand-new park instead. And honestly, who can blame them? A shiny new theme park is hard to resist.
- Shortened Disney Stays: Even die-hard Disney fans might cut back on their Disney days to fit in time for Epic Universe. Instead of a full week at Disney, you could see families doing two or three days there and spending the rest at Universal.
- Limited Universal Tickets: Right now, single-day tickets for Epic Universe aren’t even available to the general public, so many families are already locking in multi-day packages. That’s a huge commitment, meaning they might skip Disney entirely or at least scale back their time there.
Disney World’s Construction Overload
At this point, I’m sure we’ve all seen Disney’s “ambitious” plans for all that’s coming to Disney World over the course of the next few years, but particularly in 2025, it’s going to feel like the parks are one giant construction zone. Think EPCOT during its transformation and you’ll know what I’m talking about, but now it’s going to spread across all four parks.
Here’s what to expect:
-
- New Lands & Attractions: There are just so many major projects in the pipeline, from completely new areas to revamps of existing spaces. Now, the downside is that many of these new areas won’t open until 2026 or 2027, which means that in the meantime, guests will be navigating lots of construction walls and closed-off areas.
- Frustration for Families: Construction chaos can make it tough to get around the parks. Add in a few temporarily closed attractions, and it’s not exactly the smooth, magical experience families are hoping for.
- Visual Clutter: Let’s face it, those construction walls are not the vibe. If you’re planning a trip to capture iconic Instagram moments, seeing a backdrop of temporary walls and scaffolding isn’t exactly ideal.
The “Wait It Out” Crowd
Now, patience might not always be a virtue, but when it comes to Disney World in 2025, it could be a savvy move. With so many new attractions slated for later years, some families are likely to postpone their trips until everything is finished.
I mean, if you’re planning on shelling out thousands of dollars for a Disney vacation, it makes sense to wait until you can experience all those shiny new attractions. Why visit in 2025 when you can go in 2026 or 2027 and see the parks in their fully upgraded glory?
Higher Prices are Turning People Away
Okay. Let’s be honest, Disney World isn’t cheap, and it’s only getting more expensive. During their recent Q4 earnings call, Disney’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston made it clear that “Disney’s financial predictions are modeled based on increased pricing — and increased capacity.” Which means that more Disney park price increases are likely coming next year.
Here’s the deal:
-
- Budget Woes: For many families, the price increases are becoming a dealbreaker. When tickets, hotels, and food are all climbing in cost, some folks are opting for more budget-friendly vacation options, or skipping the parks altogether.
- Crowd Timing: Interestingly, Disney, in the same Q4 earnings call, also hinted that bookings look strong for the back half of 2025, particularly the holiday season. That could mean fewer crowds in the first half of the year. So, if you’re looking to dodge the masses, January through June might be your sweet spot.
Overall
Is Disney World going to be a ghost town in 2025? Not a chance. But there are clear signs that the usual wall-to-wall crowds might thin out, at least a little. With Epic Universe drawing attention, construction projects putting some of the magic on pause, and families holding off for future attractions or struggling with rising prices, 2025 could be a surprisingly good time to visit.
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
5 Ways Disney World Is Changing in 2025
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Will you be going to Disney World in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Disney isn’t what it used to be. They keep raising prices and if you want the chance to get on a ride get ready to pay more for lightning passes. Really!!!! On a recent visit waited 4 hours on line once in the long line winding through rooms no indication how long your going to be there 90 minutes turned into 4 hours. Disgraceful it’s become the place for the privileged and those stupid enough to shell out more money for a ride. Go back to good old days where everyone was treated the same. We all waited on same line. Never going back the mouse has turned greedy
I read WDW was going to be tearing down many of the beloved rides and areas that we have loved for decades. This is when I decided to take my newest son to see WDW the way it was when his older brother and I got to enjoy it before the magic changed. It is sad to see things like Dinoland being taken away and other favorites replaced with new movie themes that will never be classics like the current ones that will soon be erased. While I know that things change over time, it seems the “new WDW” will be so different the vibe just won’t be the same. I am glad to see Epcot has something finally to get park goers to actually not skip Epcot. Only time will tell and what WDW has to offer and if we still get that magical feeling or not.
One thing Disney has become is arrogant. Thinking they can keep raising prices AND making taking your family to WDW harder to do and that guests will still flock there is not very smart. I have always known Disney is expensive and prices increase all the time, far higher than inflation, has been something I expect. But making families work harder for it: taking away luggage service forcing families to have to manage their luggage and their kids, forcing them to find and pay for their own transportation to and from the airport, and then making the park experience harder and with added costs for everything forcing parents to spend their day not looking at the wonder of Disney but at their cell phone all point to Disney losing their way. The amazing thing is when attendance drops they never look in the mirror and admit they screwed up. Its always someone else’s fault like the rich taking a year off to go to Europe or sonething.
Very true! Disney just assumes people will travel there because it’s Disney.
Another decision Disney has recently made is to severely limit who can get a disability access pass (DAS). This has lead to many families not planning to go to WDW and even cancelling their annual passes which I’m sure will lead to smaller crowds.